6 Ways to Reuse Plastic Bottles

Amanda WillsJuly 26, 2010 13 Comments

Let's take a trip down memory lane to fifth grade science class. Besides getting a wicked kick of caffeine from that 2-liter bottle of Surge, those bottles also made grade A project materials as seedling planters and tornado hourglasses.

But now that we're all adults here, craft projects may not be as cool anymore (if this is the case, finish reading this article first and then find a new group of friends).

1. Woven plastic bottle vase

A project for less than $5: All you need to make this fancy-looking vase is a soda bottle and pair of scissors. Photo: Wikihow

From a distance, you would never guess this vase was plastic. Plus, it's virtually unbreakable, and you can recycle it if you decide to redecorate.

1. Mark and cut the smooth middle portion of the bottle to give an even edge that's approximately 7.5 to 8 centimeters above desired position of fluted rim.

2. Measure and mark straight, evenly spaced cuts all the way around the bottle. Cut the segments in half; then cut each of those in half to make even, thin strips.

3. Carefully press and fold all the strips outward to make a level edge all the way around. Press the bottle upside down on a flat surface to ensure an even edge.

4. Weave the tip of a strip over the next one and under the next two. Fold and crease it so that the tip is at the place (see photos from original post for a visual representation. We promise it isn't as hard as it sounds).

5. Fold and crease the next one the same way, but weave this one over two and under one. Fold the third strip and weave the same as the first one. Continue around in this pattern until the last three and tuck each one under the next until woven in completely.

Bonus tip: Add a touch of color by using green soda bottles.

2. The plastic bottle lamp

This project comes from a Popular Science project that dates back to 1961. Photo: Joel Barnard, Popular Science

Why did we use "the"? Because we have seen a lot of ways to make lamps out of plastic bottles, but this is by far the most believable (and by that we mean it doesn't look like an Evian bottle with a light bulb shoved into the top).

In fact, on first glance, we didn't think this design by Popular Science was even made from plastic bottles. Using the "smart-looking shapes" of detergent bottles as inspiration, this classic design dates back to 1961.

How to make it:Popular Science outlined this project in its 12-step photo guide. The entire thing will run you around 50 bucks.

Bonus tip: The ideal bottle for this project still keeps its shape after all the liquid has been removed. So, don’t choose one that’s too thin and flimsy.

Look for bottles with minimal surface detail. Before starting the project, peel off the label and you’ll find many bottles have been designed with texture, but according to the author, this won't help with your design.

3. Plastic bottle beads

For this project, we're literally giving you the materials to make some even more rad designs - from jewelry creations to beaded door coverings.

The original instructions for this design came from our friends at ThreadBanger (a DIY junkie heaven), but we found some other cool tips and photos on Zakka Life.

The plastic bead project is just the beginning of other rad designs. Think outside the bottle! Photo: Zakka Life

Difficulty level: Moderate

What you'll need: plastic bottle, permanent marker, heat gun, pliers

How to make it:

1. Wash and cut plastic bottles into strips that are about 1 centimeter wide. Cut strips into a point.

3. Roll up plastic and secure with pliers. Use heat gun to melt and hold bead shape together. Let dry.

Bonus tip: If you don't have a heat gun, a hair dryer will work as well. If you don't have a steady hand to draw shapes on your beads with your markers, try gluing washi paper to the plastic.

Be sure to only cover part of the plastic before rolling it up so that only the design will be exposed.

4. Soda bottle coin purse

If you haven't noticed, zippers are in this season. From skinny dresses to bulky necklaces, exposed zippers are fashion statements.

But you don't have to spend $30 on a stylish coin purse from that trendy boutique. Just make your own. The best part about this design from Green Upgrader is that you can choose your own style to match your wardrobe.

Some variations include cutting a bottle lengthwise to create a clutch purse. Along those lines you could find a two liter bottles and make a larger pocket book. Photo: Paris Tsitsos for Zitta Schnitt Designs

1. Trace your pieces and cut them using scissors or a knife. If you’re really advanced, you can also make a “cookie cutter” out of sheet metal in the shape of the part. Then heat the cutter and use it to stamp out the parts. (Let us know how that works out.)

2. The assembly will be the hardest part. Instructables recommends just fitting the parts together first and experimenting to get the right geometric shape. Be sure that the corners of each cutout fit neatly together. Note that there really isn’t a way to make concave corners, only convex corners.

3. Cut slots into the corners of the pieces so they can neatly fit together. Warning: This can get really frustrating, so don’t give up!

Bonus tip: You will need sheets of paper or plastic that allow light to get through. The stiffness of your material determines how large your pieces can be - stiffer material for larger pieces and larger lamps, thinner material for smaller pieces and smaller lamps.

Earth911 partners with many industries, manufacturers and organizations to support its Recycling Directory, the largest in the nation, which is provided to consumers at no cost. The American Chemistry Council is one of these partners.

Wow I read about the amazing stories about the new entrepeneurs that have made their bank balance a little prettier. I have an idea and would like to know what process must I under go to melt the plastic colddrink bottles or the plastic containers we buy salads in or a piece of cake you might have bought from the general store? I would like to mould the PETE into another container for reuse. Can anyone out there help me how I do that? Needless to say I cannot afford to have a huge recycling place that must first be washed, then crushed, then what ever the next step is……………..
Please help, as I would love to be the next entrepeneur to clean up the world.

http://leedvancouver.com/ ines

I will definetly try the soda bottle coin purse. Wish me luck!

http://vivbizclub.com dinesh

Definitely some good DIY ideas here. I thought I’d toss in another reason to go the reuse route as opposed to recycling for plastic containers.

“Only ~6% of all plastic waste in the US actually gets recycled” – I was really quite shocked when I read this stat the other day, but the simple fact is that the vast majority of plastic resins can not be recycled. Bottles or plastic #1 tend to have a bit better recycling rate, but most plastic just doesn’t get recycled and if it does it’s downcycled into plastic lumber of textiles”;

Reuse or Reduce are definitely the better options here.

Pepper

WOW! What great ideas! The only one of which I’d ever heard was the change purse.

Pepper

Also, I have a good use for them. Once emptied, I refill it with water and freeze it. For someone with a husband who works outside all day, it’s a lifesaver!

http://www.reDiscoverCenter.org mary beth

These are really great. We’ll do a workshop with some of these. Reduce and REUSE

Heidi

I have a small retale space and want to have a green store with green products any ideas.

http://www.worm-farming.org WC Malone

What great ideas to recycle plastic bottles! I’m working on the lamp one right now and it’s turning out really nice. Any ways that we can recycle is great.

http://www.eco-connectbottle.com Steven Klein

This is a great reuse for empty plastic containers. It’s a simple patented technology callled the Eco Connect Bottle System. Instead of winding up in landfills, empty plastic beverage containers featuring this simple patented technology begin a new journey as creative educational toys or as building insulation in third world countries or countries that need to rebuild due to a national disaster.

If water bottles featuring this technology were donated to Haiti, the children could build simple toys and soccer goals from the empties. Then the empties could be utilized as building insulation to help rebuild the nation. Right now, the millions of water bottles that were donated to Haiti are just clogging up their landfills.

http://www.thelowcosttraveller.com/ Samantha Minogue

Love these ideas! I’m gonna try the purse and maybe the geometric lamp shade. Thanks for sharing, its always fantastic to see innovative ideas to limit what “rubbish” goes into landfills. Here in Mauritius, they barely do any sort of recycling. It’s painful to throw things in the bin because you know its going to end up in a landfill on the island. How wrong is that…

Clint White

Just to let people know I’m an unemployed person like alot of others and instead of sitting around waiting on the phone I’ve been picking up all kinds of plastics from bottles to toys alumimun cans and metal my next step is to become a plastic recycling process center it takes capital and equipment any cans and plastic and metal will be greatly excepted I would like to be able to show people where their trash and material go and what it is being used for

Bill Sinclair

Why not just recycle all the plastic. Someone could go around and collect the plastic jugs at the homes. Just like pennies if everyone cashed in their pennies they wouldn’t have to coin anymore pennies.

gaby

hello i would like to know how to make the plastic bottle lampshade where could i find the pettern and instruction to make it and answer please in my e-mail thank you

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